h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The time? 06.30.
Frame of mind? Terrified.

Reason? My three yearly First Aiders' refresher course.

I had to be at the Red Cross training centre, in Euston for 09.00, so off early. The first problem was access. The entrance was a flight of stairs with a lamppost on each side of the steps, so there was nothing to hold onto. I managed, somehow, but then had the top step to negotiate. No hand-grip or anything. This was not going well at all. After a little thought, and a fair amount of determination, I made it into the building, signed in and took the lift to the second floor.

On arrival, there was one recognisable face. One of our security guards was taking the ull four day course. At least mine was only two! The room slowly filled and then another familiar face appeared. 'J', who had been my trainer on my previous course. Time to register, so into the queue, but I held back. I had a major concern, not helped by the fun of entering the building. Was I able to complete the course, and pass? Or was I wasting everyone's time, including mine.

After everyone had signed up, except me, I voiced my concerns about my health and physical ability, but 'J' said it shouldn't be problem and to shout if I experienced difficulties. First hurdle over, and one of my major anxieties. There were two trainers, 'J' and 'B'. As mentioned earlier, I knew 'J' and knew it would be fun, but 'B' was a new face and, although not as as 'J', he was good and instructive. Certainly not a . Another anxiety gone.

Time for introductions. There were ten in the class, five male and five female. A good mix. And interesting occupations and varied ages... I was probably the oldest, and with equal experience to 'E'. There was a Playgroup leader for a Hospital, who had just finished maternity leave... by one day, a film visual effects manager, 'C', a theatre manager, 'J', who worked for our sister food side of the business, a couple from the building industry... a real mixed bag.

After introductions, it was onto the most important aspects of First Aid. Looking after yours truly, then the casualty, then treatment This involved the recovery position, followed by CPR on Resus-Annie (despite all our dummies being male - More a Resus-Adam?) This was my next anxiety. Would my knees hold out? Resus/CPR was fine. I'd bought a pad with me to ease any pain, which was minimal. Recovery position was not so good. This entailed moving my knees and also supporting the casualty whilst moving part of their anatomy. This entailed modifying the task, and working quickly so it wouldn't be noticed. I got away with it. Also they'd changed the techniques which made it much easier. I couldn't have used the techniques I learnt 20 years ago. I'd have become a casualty too!

then bleeds and bandages. This is where the 'rolling on the floor with young ladies' came in. I was teamed up with 'K', who was on her second refresher. I was able to assist with minor hiccups in technique, but she was good and remembered most of it. Of course, during the verbal training, 'J' found it difficult to shut me up, but I also made a number of mistakes... simply because I mixed up modern and past techniques. One major problem arose. Chest stab wounds. 'C' and I had to get up close and personal for this. Anyone who has taken the course may know the treatment. The First-aider is on the floor with the casualty leaning back onto the First-aider. The casualty holds the wound, while the Fist-aider applies a plastic covering, followed by a bandage pad, then a broad band bandage, still on the knees, ad still keeping the casualty upright. Then lean the casualty over and ease into a comfortable position. It was only then, after much and , that I realised I'd pulled a muscle in my back. Time for lunch.

After a sandwich lunch, onto breaks. More rolling on the floor, this time dealing with breaks. More bandages, etc. with a break for and a comprehensive update on Shock. here was also a lengthy quiz on signs symptoms and treatments of various topics before home time.

Tuesday, and tube disruption. The journey from . The hardest aspect of the course is that anyone who is late fails the course. I made it by five minutes. The next four hours was spent repeating all we had covered. Most of it on the floor. Unfortunately my knees were not getting any better! After 'J' and 'B' went over how we'd done on the continuous assessments. Allegedly we were one of the best groups they'd had for a while!

Time for lunch, then an explanation of the final assessment. It would involve the recovery position which I had minor concerns for, then CPR, which I was confident about, and finally the treatment of an injury (which didn't include a chest wound... Yippee) and diagnosis and explanation of Shock, which I was also reasonably confident about.

Assessment time. When I was called, 'C' was my casualty. The assessor asked me a couple of questions to calm me down (I was totally calm!) then explained the scenario... a colleague with a gash to the hand. 'C; and I had had a good bit of banter and continued it through the assessment which meant I passed the treatment aspect easily. Now for Shock! Easy! NOT. I lost it. I could tell by 'C's face I wasn't doing well, and desperately wanted to help. I'd blown it. The assessor was prompting me for the answer but I'd shut down. Gone!!! 'C' left as did the assessor, then I was called by 'J'. "We need to talk!" I'd completely lost it. After talking it over, I was told I'd get a second chance. Here was I, the most experienced First Aider on the course, and I'd failed the simplest, easiest and the most 'important' aspect of the course. Shock kills!!!

Next came the recovery position! This went like a dream. In fact it probably was. Except one part! There are three main aspects to checking a patient in the recovery position... Airway, Breathing and... and... ... Oh . another bit of prompting reminded me... So that was a pass.
Onto assessor 3 and CPR. Now I really hurt. It is so embarassing needing to use a chair to get off the floor... and every time I knelt down was hurting more. Luckily this would be the last time I'd . 30 compressions, two breaths and repeat. My assessor was kind to me and only made me do four repeats rather than nine.

'C' was very kind and gave me moral support for my retake on the first aspect of the assessment. The assessor told me the dressing aspect had been excellent and wouldn't need repeating, so onto Shock! Casualty pale, cold and clammy. Shock! Cause? Massive fluid loss. Treatment? Get casualty to lay flat on the floor whilst talking in a calm manner, then raise legs above body. Continue assessing airway,breathing and circulation. And yes! I was back on my again!

Back with the rest of the team and time to await the results. I was called up first! Now I was really and panicking. It could only mean one thing. . The assessors were sat in a semi-circle, including 'J'. Maybe for moral support? Now came the debrief...

Assessor 1 - Good bandage... lost it on Shock, but knew I knew it, hence opportunity for reassessment.
Assessor 2 - Good recovery, just remember to 'Monitor' casualty. Hearing last sense to go, first to return. (Ah! Airway! Breathing! Monitor! !)
Assessor 3 - CPR good, but remember depth for compressions... 4-5 cms, and pull back on forehead for airway, not nose!!!
Assessor 4 - Reassessment of Shock was good. Just remember, when in a situation, deep breath, relax, and follow natural, trained instinct.

'J' - So pass or fail?

Assessors 1 - 4 - Pass.

and shakes. I was good for another three years!

Rejoined the others, each of whom had a debrief. We'd all passed.

I admit I was still very shaky, and aching,so I took the home and a long soak in the bath.

This morning I woke up, but couldn't move. The knees were swollen and the back had seized up, so no work for me... just bed until 14.00. Didn't even get a paper!!!

Looks like this will be my seventh and final First Aid course refresher!!!

A very sad end to the only activity I do that I do which means something, is necessary and is often appreciated!!!

I just hope and something will happen that let's me attend an eighth!!!

MMF

Blimey, that sounds a lot more stressful than my first aid refresher courses (which we do every 2 years - but which are only 1 day)

Mind you, on the last one I was better at most of it than the "instructor" - turns out that due to my military training and my previous incarnation as a life-guard I am pretty good at this stuff. (and of course, with my aggressive tendencies and the eejits I work with any "accidents" and injuries at w**k are likely to be caused by me)

Anyway I digress

and and for you!

Sho, it was actually good fun, and the stress came from me, as I don't like exams or test situations. Hence the shakes. At least I passed. I would if I'd gone through that pain for nothing!

MMF

You had a great trial my friend ! I am glad that you passed. It is very good to have a person with this kind of knowledge in a community. One day you may be needed but I hope not. I am sorry that you suffered so for the sake of this training. Congratulations on your success!
JR

Yes, congratulations!

Well done, Mazin!